Autism Breakthrough of Knoxville

On today's episode, we talked about all things recreational therapy with Breakthrough's in-house recreational therapist: Deana Rutherford. We talked about Respite & Recreation, how recreational therapy and R&R will be impacted by the new Autism & Community Outreach center, and various activities recreational therapy offers including yoga, book club, crafts club, and more. Deana has been with Breakthrough for a little over 10 years and we are so grateful to have her!

For today's episode we discussed the June 2022 newsletter. We talked about our upcoming fundraiser with Panda Express, which is Wednesday, June 15th. Additionally, we talked about our annual Take Home the Cellar Event, new hires, 1700 Liberty Street, and new Therapeutic Services being offered at Breakthrough. 

Jim Srite, member of the Autism Breakthrough of Knoxville Board, joins us as we discuss his son Eric and Jim's experience as a parent of a person with autism. 

I (Dylan Slemp) am joined by Kezia Cox and Danny Matthews as we discuss Kezia’s experiences in the workplace, Project SEARCH and why it is important for people with disabilities to have a presence in the workforce.

Hey Friends!

WE did it! YOU did it!  You walked with us, you learned with us, and you helped raise awareness for Breakthrough and more importantly adults on the autism spectrum.

Today's walk and talk is a celebration.  The story will be your story. A story of a person you know and love with autism whom you want to celebrate, honor, or remember.  A testament to the small victories, and the simple joys.  A celebration of the person who, despite the odds has done some pretty cool and amazing things. A celebration of burgeoning acceptance, access and neurodiversity. A celebration of a person who loves and is loved. Call in live today to celebrate someone with autism in your life, in 2-3 minutes, you will have an opportunity to share their story, and your story.

Imagine the ripple effect of that.

This would not be possible without YOU.  So today, on the last day of this 21-day journey, we celebrate the amazing people we love who happen to have autism.  We celebrate you too, with each message you sent, phone call made, research continued, words of encouragement given, pearls of wisdom acquired, walk or run that you did, or other acts of kindness, support and generosity. You've helped us inspire more people to pay attention to the aging population of adults on the spectrum.  

Looking forward to learning from you,

-Kendrise Colebrooke

Previous recording of Spelling to Communicate Episode.

Happy Friday Friends,

Conservatorship?! Are you sure about that?

Today we are challenging the framework of traditional conservatorship by offering some worthy alternatives to consider.  My favorite alternative is supported decision making. Tune in to find out what it's all about!

Yours in service,

-Kendrise Colebrooke

Hi Friends,

If you are reading this message (which you are) that means that you are using....you guessed it! TECHNOLOGY!!!!  There are thousands of high tech and low tech applications for adults with autism! Today we will hear from Vania Beavers, Breakthrough's TECH CHAMPION (yes, that's a real thing).

Here's a reminder of the definitions of the words technology and enabling to set the tone and the framework for the conversation ahead as it relates to adults on the autism spectrum.   

Technology=The application of scientific knowledge for practical purposes

Enabling= Give someone or something the authority or means to do something; to make possible


Expanding possibilities,

-Kendrise Colebrooke

Good Morning Friends,

Yesterday we discussed some of the common medical comorbidities that can occur in adults on the autism spectrum.  Today we will further         that conversation with "East Tennessee's Occupational Therapy Unicorn", Kelley Howe, OT. Her practice includes traditional occupational therapy, a functional fitness program and a spelling to communicate approach.

Join the call to find out why I've given her that nickname and why her practice stands out amongst other occupational therapy groups in this area.

Connect with Kelley at www.adroittherapyservices.com

See you in a few,

-Kendrise Colebrooke

 P.S. We are doing this 21 day challenge in conjunction with our Virtual 5K.

Listen live at 9am EST November 5-25, 2020
Dial: 312-626-6799    Meeting ID: 853-0939-9259
 

Autism Breakthrough

www.breakthroughknoxville.org

Hello Friends,

"One true constant in life is change, if you keep living, things are always going to change so you have to be ready for them." -Grandma 

Words of the wise. :) Transitions throughout life are expected at certain points, but that does not make them any less difficult.  What about for adults with autism?  How should you prepare for life after high school, living independently, or making difficult decisions that may change your trajectory?  What are some systemic barriers to anticipate so that we can overcome them?  Listen today as our guest will explain the 5 points on the Guiding Star to work through any problem!

Wendy Besmann, today's guest will share her journey of navigating this process as a parent and the knowledge she has gained from these experiences.  Wendy is the author of The Young Adult Road Map: A Step-by-Step Guide to Navigating Wellness, Independent Living, and Transition Services for People in Their Teens and Twenties.

Getting a running start,

Kendrise Colebrooke

Hi Friends,

"Have some fun!"  I say this often as a departing salutation, and sometimes in return I get some rather perplexed looks from the recipients.  It's odd to consider having fun sometimes when people are not having a great day or going to an unfavorable activity, or tackling life middle of a pandemic.  But think about the last time you were having 'fun'.  In that moment, did you feel like the best version of yourself?  Did it help propel you through a difficult undertaking?  Did it release some pent up frustration or worry? Did you smile? Maybe even just a tiny bit? For a little while? I hope so!

Today I am talking with Deana Rutherford, Breakthrough's resident Recreation Therapist of nearly 10 years about the benefits of recreation therapy and community engagement for adults on the autism spectrum.  We will also discuss how community engagement can look for different personality types and abilities.

Therapeutic Recreation is a systemic process that uses recreation and other activities as interventions to address needs of an individual AND as a means to psychological and physical health, recovery and well-being.  YES!  It can even be used to enhance motor, social, cognitive functioning, build confidence and integrated those skills learned in the treatment setting into the community setting.

MESSAGE: There is something here for everyone on the call today. "Just because we reach adulthood, it does not mean that recreation just goes away--and it's not all about play time, bingo and walks in the park."

Talk to you soon,

Kendrise Colebrooke

Greetings Friends,

       I hope you had the chance this weekend to catch up on your runs and walk and talk challenge recordings.  It's Monday....back to the grind and back to WORK!

       WORK is the topic of today's talk.  Today I will be speaking with Spencer Rosenberg, one of Breakthrough's best and brightest whose work         with adults and young adults we support in pre-employment and employment services speaks for itself.

       Here at Breakthrough we believe that every person with autism has the ability to make a contribution through work if given the opportunity         and avenue that works best for them.  Most times, we help a bit with preparation, making inroads, and being supportive when it is needed most.

       Too often many forget how amazingly talented and able adults on the autism spectrum are and can be.  Yet, they are the most         underrepresented and underemployed subset of the disability community.  Why is it so hard for adults with autism to get or keep a job?

       Let's talk about it,

       Kendrise Colebrooke

This is a replay of day 1. Catch up on the episodes you may have missed this week!

Hey Friends,

Congratulations on making it to Day 3!  It has been my pleasure sharing with you the challenges adults and families of adults on the autism spectrum face every day. Over the last couple of days we have talked about the history and prevalence of autism as a diagnosis, early beginnings of our beloved organization Breakthrough and building independence at any age.

Today's topic will examine the role of caregivers and parents of adults on the spectrum.  More specifically, we will highlight the sometimes harsh effects of caregiver stress and some of the ways caregivers practices, what I like to call, radical self care.

As you walk today feel those moments where you feel helpless and at your wits-end as caregivers and as advocates. When do you take a moment to recharge and rejuvenate yourself? When can you?!  It's high-time to sprinkle in a little self love and self care so that you can continue to show up! Day in and day out.  Friends, it's absolutely necessary to be effectual in our caregiving and advocacy long-term.

I am eagerly looking forward to the 9 am call this morning and to the rest of this 21 day challenge with you!  Through this exercise we are expanding our awareness, mental and physical agility, and adding tools to our "advocacy toolboxes".

Yours in service,

Kendrise Colebrooke

Hi Friends,

 Yesterday's kickoff has me so pumped and energized for the rest of this challenge!  I hope it has been and will be as rewarding for you as it is for me.  If you missed the kickoff yesterday, don't worry,  you can catch up before today's walk using the anchor.fm link or any of the other podcasting links below.
 

With the action step yesterday, I connected with a couple of my friends who are parents of children with autism in a way we'd never connected before.  It was such a powerful moment. Share your stories on social media with #21for21 and #AutismBreakthrough.

Today we are going to get into possibilities and realities for independent living for adults with autism on every point on the spectrum.  Sometimes what I hear from parents of adults with autism are things like, "They'll never be able to...live on their own, or without us," etc. I could probably fill in the blank hundreds of different scenarios.  We are going to challenge that thinking during today's call by examining what is possible through advances in modern technology, services that are available to bridge the gap to independence and much more.

What can you do now, and at any age, to prepare for this transition?  How important is it for young adults and adults in transition to have and build independence?

 Tune in and find out,

 Kendrise Colebrooke

Judi Brookshire, one of the founders of Autism Breakthrough joins us for the kickoff walk and talk. We discuss diagnosis history of autism, and some common characteristics that have evolved over time. We also discuss the early beginnings of Breakthrough and how people can advocate for adults on the spectrum. Hope you enjoy!

Hello Autism Breakthrough Supporters,

Instead of having our typical 5k run, during the month of November we will be raising awareness for Autism Breakthrough by having daily discussions on topics related to adults with autism.

Register today on RunSignUp (link) to take the pledge to support adults with autism!

Join us daily from November 5th-25th, 2020 at 9am eastern for a Walk and Talk.

There are so many issues related to adults on the spectrum that just aren't discussed in mainstream media, we are going to get into those topics here.  You don't want to miss it.  Invite a friend or a family member to walk with us. Who knows, we might even have a breakthrough!

Be sure to register so that you can receive the daily email updates during that week for the topics of the day!

Don't forget to share on social media #AutismBreakthrough #Breakthrough21